Soccer: Jets embrace Wellington atmosphere

The Newcastle Jets are well aware of the euphoria in Wellington, as they prepare to take on the Phoenix in the sudden-death A-League playoff match.

The two sides will play in front of a sold-out crowd of 34,000 screaming fans at Westpac Stadium on Sunday, as they bid to progress further in the finals series. The crowd will be the biggest-ever to see a club football game in New Zealand.

Jets defender Tarek Elrich says the team are used to playing in front of large crowds following their grand final triumph in season three.

"The last couple of games of the season we were getting up and around 20,000 people. And in the grand final I think we had 30 (thousand) plus, so we've had some big occasions. It's great. That's what football is like, the league needs that."

Elrich says his side will embrace the atmosphere and the hype on Sunday.

"That's what you dream of as a young kid, to play in front of big crowds in big games."

The Jets travel to Wellington on Thursday night.

- NEWSTALK ZB